Upon his election into office, Pasig City’s new mayor, Vico Sotto, promised to look into allegations of supposedly crooked Traffic & Parking Management Office (TPMO) enforcers. Sotto noted that Pasig's own “Blue Boys” were prone to corruption and need to be trained more in handling traffic.
“Alam nating lahat kung gaano ka-notorious ang mga Pasig TPMPO o 'Blue Boys'. Aminin natin na marami pa rin sa kanila ang tiwali o kulang sa kasanayan,” said Sotto.
This week, he delivers on that promise by requiring them to attend a 'Continuing Professional Development Program.’ Under the newly-announced training program, the traffic enforcers will be coached and guided accordingly to learn about traffic rules and regulations, as well as conversing with motorists. The ‘quota system’ will also be removed, to keep their focus on managing traffic rather than meeting the monthly citation tickets they need to issue.
Enforcers that show good performance in the coming months can become permanent members of the TPMO. Most of them are contractual and have low-paying salaries. By contrast, those that do not improve their performance and continue to be corrupt will be fired. In fact, Sotto said that they currently have 6 enforcers that will be charged with administrative complaints, as well as two other members that were recently arrested by the PNP due to their corrupt practices.
It is hoped that Sotto’s goal of removing corruption within the ranks of the TPMO will shine a brighter light on Pasig City's Blue Boys.
